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Tips lead to Kent Police arrest of Lakewood man for assaulting 18-year-old woman

Kent Police arrested a Lakewood man Tuesday at his home wanted in connection with an assault against an 18-year-old woman on April 20 at a West Hill gas station.

Police tracked down Tony Costello because of tips from viewers of Washington's Most Wanted (WMW) television show on Q13 Fox, said Kent detective Melanie Frazier. People identified Costello from video surveillance aired on the show. Lakewood Police assisted with the arrest.

“It’s quite exciting to get a capture like this," Frazier said. "You know, collaborating with WMW and getting tips that came in and actually being successful at apprehending somebody, it really makes everything worthwhile. This guy is a dangerous guy. He’s a convicted felon with multiple felonies for assault, so I think this is a great capture."

Costello has been convicted of 13 felonies and arrested 27 times. He faces a June 2 court date on the latest assault charge. He remained Wednesday in the King County jail.

Costello allegedly kicked the woman in the head outside of a convenience store. The woman tried to protect other friends who were approached by Costello, who said he wanted to give them a ride in his car. The girls left but Costello started a fight with the woman and ended up breaking her jaw by kicking her.

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